City Comparison
Hamden vs Stratford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hamden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hamden
Stratford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Stratford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Hamden.
| Metric | Hamden | Stratford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,950 | +8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $460 | -9% |
| Utilities | $185 | $190 | -3% |
| Transport | $125 | $130 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $260 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,090 | $2,990 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stratford offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hamden delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hamden is estimated at
$62,000 vs $65,000 in Stratford.
| Metric | Hamden | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 66,102 idx |
| Household Income | $98,306 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Hamden sees 0.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hamden | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.90°F | 52.90°F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | 80.40°F |
| Winter Low | 21.70°F | 24.20°F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | 44.50 in |
| Snowfall | 23.10 in | 22.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 245 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hamden has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Stratford.
| Metric | Hamden | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hamden is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Stratford.
From a growth perspective, Stratford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hamden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hamden | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,045 | 52,305 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 42.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hamden
Advantages
Median household income in Hamden stands at a strong $98,306, outperforming the national average.
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, highlighted by the iconic Sleeping Giant State Park.
Convenient access to major employment centers in New Haven and academic institutions like Quinnipiac University.
Diverse residential neighborhoods offering everything from historic character to modern suburban developments.
Active municipal programming and community events hosted regularly at Town Center Park.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes run higher than the national median.
Certain transit routes rely heavily on car travel, leading to peak-hour congestion along major arteries like Route 10.
Rental inventory can experience tight competition due to proximity to regional universities.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall averaging over 23 inches annually, requiring active municipal snow removal.
Property prices have faced upward pressure, making entry-level homeownership more competitive.
Stratford
Advantages
Direct access to Long Island Sound with scenic waterfront parks like Short Beach and Long Beach.
Convenient commuter access via the Stratford Metro-North train station along the New Haven Line.
Strong local employment anchored by major aerospace and manufacturing employers like Sikorsky Aircraft.
Rich colonial history and distinct neighborhood character, including the scenic Lordship peninsula.
More attainable housing options compared to immediate neighboring towns in western Fairfield County.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes remain notably higher than the national U.S. average.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate downtown and transit areas.
Vulnerability to coastal weather events and occasional flooding along low-lying shoreline areas.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like I-95 and Route 1.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within town borders compared to larger cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hamden
#208Connecticut, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
51.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
70
Stratford
#462Connecticut, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
77
Business
70
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